\ MISSISSAUGA \

Considering that they’ve been playing in the same room for nine years as of today, there is a surprising dearth of online photos of the band known as The Stew doing their weekly Sunday matinee show at Mulligan’s Pub in west Mississauga.

It’s not like there isn’t a lot to brag about either.  While it’s basically a part-time endeavour for all the members, the reason for that is that they are all A-calibre performers, most of whom are members of several other high profile Blues/R&B groups.

Singer Kevin Phillips doesn’t appear to have another band at the moment, though for several years was also part of the Melody Ranch Country/R&B show taking place at Cadillac Lounge in TO’s Parkdale area and later fronted the Cadillac Ranch that followed MR founder Mary de Keyzer’s decision to retire a few years ago, continuing on with that until its finale in December of 2014.

As we told you this time last year in writing about the band’s eighth anniversary show, Kevin also at one time had a pretty impressive unit called It Men that released an album, Big Chop Suey¸ which I featured in the cover story of to-nite #379 ten years ago this month.

[Paid and registered member subscribers can read the full article in our Vault section on the Moon website.]

That band was definitely an expression of who this earnest and somewhat taciturn but creatively mischievous talent and engaging songwriter was and is.  And the fact that its guitarist, Kevin Vienneau, continues to work with him as a core member of The Stew indicates just how solid their musical friendship is.

Interestingly, while there are few good shots of the group in action, there is an online YouTube video of one of the Big Chop Suey tunes that I rather liked, “Headache”, recorded by Kevin with The Stew in 2011 that you can enjoy.  Although visually it’s just still shots and collages (what is it with this guys and cameras?) the music is delightful.

Like Vienneau, the other members of The Stew have well-known musical pedigrees and a few team up together in some stellar combos.  Rob Gusevs for years was the keys player for Kevin Breit’s Sisters Euclid Juno-winning Jazz/ROck/Country fusion band and is also, along with Vienneau, a member of the Little Feat tribute band Dixie Chicken along with many other stellar groups.

The Stew’s drummer is another Sisters Euclid member, Gary Taylor.  An exceptionally creative fusion composer of his own innovative material, and, like Vienneau, a part of Steely Dan tribute Pretzel Logic, on percussion Taylor is also a superbly gifted photographer and painter.

Bass duties are handled by another legend-calibre veteran, Rodney St. Amand, who has backed dozens of big-draw Blues artists over many years including Howard Ross, Danny Marks, Wendell Ferguson and too many more to recount.

Mix it all together and throw in a weekly special guest of headline status and you have a Sunday afternoon show that has endured for nearly a decade for the very simple reason that it’s some of the best live music in the Blues/R&B genre you can find anywhere, let alone in Mississauga.  That makes the guy who’s at the front of it, holding all this tasty mixture together vocally and emceeing the evening, still the “It Man” Sunday afternoons in Peel Region.

There’s no cover for the 5:30-8:30 show in the room tucked away behind the beer store in a plaza at 2458 Dundas St. West, a stone’s throw east of the border with Oakville.  I haven’t eaten there in a long time so have no idea what the menu features these days (the club’s website is hopelessly out of date so it’s no help) but if I do go I’ll be asking, in a very loud voice, for some Big Chop Suey  —hopefully it will end up giving me a “Headache”.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Sunday, October 23, 2021

Listings are organized by area in which shows take place and listed chronologically within each area field.

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Events preceded by question mark (?) usually take place but have not been confirmed. Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchases. /+ indicates stated price is minimum.

Names of subscribers appear in bold, are underlined and, where applicable, include a live link to their websites. Advertisers’ listings are in larger highlighted type, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

ONLINE / ON AIR

*6, 7, 10 & 11am; 5 & 7 pm> “Sunday Morning Soul” with Johnny Max @ www.sundaymorningsoul.com ~Blues

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

11am-2pm> Eli Pasic @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~piano Jazz; $

11am-2pm> Erna Chorna & Nina Shapilsky for Jewish brunch buffet @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO

noon-3> Excelsior Dixieland Jazz Band @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz

3-5> Michael Laderoute & Rob Fenton @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~original award winning Roots-Popl no cover

3:30-6:30> Beverly Taft Quartet @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*4-7> Michael Brennan @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St. TO ~East Coast Rock/Blues Roots

*4:30-8> New Orleans Connection All Stars & guests @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~New Orleans Jazz

4:30-7:30> Ryan Oliver Trio @ The Local Gest, 424 Parliament St., TO ~Jazz

5-9> Robbie Lane & The Disciples @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Road, TO North ~vintage Rock/R&B; $10

5> Steve-Paul Simms & guests @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Roots/Pop; no cover

6-7:30> June Garber @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz cabaret; $10/pwyc

*6-9> open mic with Eddy Culjak @ Fox & Fiddle Wellesley, 27 Wellesley St., TO

*7-1> Freefall Sundays open stage (2 songs each -signup @ 7 or pre-sign online) @ The Supermarket, 268 Augusta St., TO

7-9:30> Dr. Nick & The Rollercoasters @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

7-9:30> Noir feat. Adi Braun @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $

*7-10> Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlins, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues/Jazz/R&B

7> The Doublecuts @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~original Country

7:30> “Muse or Monster IV” songwriter showcase with host Murray Foster with Yvanne Dandan; Connor Duncan; Cory Feigan; Matthew Kelly for set 1; John Mahler; with Barry Canning, Shawna Caspi, Annabelle Chvostek and Chris Patterson in the round for set 2 @ Tranzac Club (Main Hall), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~songwriters; $15

7:30> Ian Sinclair Quartet @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Jazz

8-12> Whores Truly featuring Ed Roth @ Wolf Like Me, 834 Bloor St. W., TO ~Cajun Blues-Pop; no cover

8> Noah Pascoe & guests @ Free Times Café, 320 College St., TO ~songwriter

*8> jam/open mic with backline & host band Meg and the Scene @ The Antler Room, 146 Front St. W., TO

8-10> Gavin Hope @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

*8> open mic with Kyle @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO

*8-12> The Honour Roll with REMY trio @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W. ~freestyle Hip Hop; no cover

9:30> Norman Marshall Villeneuve @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*10> Horshack feat. Chris Caddell @ Orbit Room, 580 College St., TO ~Bluesy contemporary & classic Rock

10> Sonic Perfume @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Jazz

10> New Grease Revival @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

**10> Blues jam with Brian Cober & Bill Hedefine & guest bassist TBA @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO

10:30> Frank Ryan @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

416 – TORONTO EAST

11am-2pm> Jordan Glick for Jazz brunch @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave. TO East

**2-5> Brendan Davis; Reg Schwager; Perry White @ Morgan’s, 1282 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Jazz

*3-6> open mic with Nicola Vaughan @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave., TO East

4-8> Ed & Dorit birthday bash @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~acoustic duo

4> Mr. Rick @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~original & cover Roots/Blues

*4:30-8:30> jam @ Black Bear Pub, 1125 O’Connor Drive, TO East

7-10> Johnny Cox Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave, TO East ~R&B/Blues

*9-1> jam with the Stir It Up Band featuring David Macmichael @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East

9> Watch This Sound @ Castro’s Lounge, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East ~vintage Jamaican music

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

4-7:30> BG Rhythm Section featuring Gary Kendall + guests Danny B & Kevin Higgins @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Blues/R&B

5-9> Fleetwood Mix @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke ~Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac tribute

*10-2> jam with Rebecca Matiesen & Phoenix @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

*7-11> open jam @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough

416 – TORONTO WEST

**11-2> live Jazz brunch @ DeSoto’s, 1079 St. Clair Ave. W., TO West

*noon-3> Julian Fauth & Ken Yoshioka @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues

* noon-3> The Cosmotones @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~Bluegrass

*4-8> Blues/Rock jam with Cody @ The Cat, 3513 Dundas St. W., TO West

**5-8> John Borra & Sam Ferrara w. guest @ The Communist’s Daughter, 1149 Dundas St. W. TO West ~Country

5-8> Kirsten Jones & Clela Errington @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~original Country/Roots

5-8> Hello Darlings @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West

6> Monk’s Music @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz; pwyc

6> Al Tuck @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~PEI eclectic songwriter; $15

6:30> Colour In The Clouds; Sons of Sirens; Two Year Plan; Pfloog @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West ~indie

8> The Beat Club @ La Rev, 2548 Dundas St. W., TO West

8> The Whiskey Chase; The Wounded; Flight 97; Joncro @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West ~indie

8:30> Andrew Downing String Quartet @ The Emmet Ray, 924 College St., TO West ~Jazz; pwyc

9-1> Ali Berkok Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9> Amelie et les Singes Bleus @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~French Blues

9> Alex Samaras @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~Jazz

9:30> Rotary Park with Sarah Hamilton @ Burdock, 1184 Bloor St. W., TO West ~original alt-Bluegrass; $12

*10> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO West ~retro Rock/Soul; $10

519

*3-7> acoustic open mic with Scott Rhodes @ The Pick and Shovel, 30 Water St., Cambridge

*9-1> jam @ Ivy Arms Pub, 201 Main Street East, Milton

*10-2> open mic with Nathan Coles @ Jimmy Jazz, 52 Macdonnell St., Guelph

705

3> The Wolfgang Brothers @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

6:30-9:30> Joe Huron Trio with guest tba @ Harbour Street Fish Bar, 10 Keith Ave., Collingwood ~Jazz

10> Sean Burns @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St., W., Peterborough

905 EAST

5> Terry B @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

7-11> open jam with Juggernaut @ The Edge Lounge, 250 Bayly St. W., Ajax

*7> Gibran & Matt “Smokey” Wildfong @ Harwood Blues, 7 Harwood Ave., Ajax ~Blues

*8:30-12:30> karaoke with The English Rose & The Mad Scotsman @ Pearson Pub, 101 Mary St. W. Whitby

905 NORTH

**1-3> Joe & Frank with guest performer @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jackson’s Point ~Jazz

*1:30-4:30> Blaine Burnie, Mark Thackway & friends @ Coach House Pub, 3 Felcher Boulevard, Stouffville ~acoustic Roots

*3-7> open stage with Kevin Ker @ The Earl Of Whitchurch, 6204 Main St., Stouffville

*3-7> Daniel Davies Band hosts jam @ C.J. Barley’s, 213 The Queensway South, Keswick

*4-8> open mic with backline & keys @ Yogi’s Bar, 1285 Elgin Mills Rd. E., Richmond Hill

*5:30-9:30> open jam with host band Faces For Radio & guest John Beechey on drums @ Crown and Anchor Pub, 389 Main St. N., Brampton

*6-9:30> The Andy Earle Trio @ Big Daddy’s Newmarket, 446 Davis Drive, Newmarket ~Blues

*8> acoustic open mic with Kat Vhonda @ Wild Wing North Newmarket, 340 Eagle Street, Newmarket

905 SOUTH

2-6> Bay City Blues Band & guest Robin Banks @ Bay City Music Hall, 50 Leander Drive, Hamilton ~Blues; $5

*3> Brother Tom hosts kitchen party jam @ Rebel’s Rock, 537 King St. E., Hamilton

7> Listener; The Homeless Gospel Choir; Vikings; Math Club @ Casbah Lounge, 306 King St. W., Hamilton ~indie; $10

9> Enuff Z Nuff; Spin Dizzy @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

905 WEST

**2-6> Country matinee with host Colin Connors and guest The McGrath Family @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Country

*3-6> Chris Partland @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock

3-8> Salsa band @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Latin

*4-7> Glenn Groves @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington ~Country

*4:30-8> Chuck Jackson’s All Stars @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Blues

**5:30-8:30> The Stew 9^th Anniversary Show @ Mulligan’s, 2458 Dundas St. W., Mississauga ~R&B/Rock

**7-11> The Nomads @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock

*7:30-11:30> open jam hosted by Troy Harmer & The Persuaders @ The Brown Barrel, 1515 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton

*8> open mic night with house band featuring Mike Shotton, Tim & Dave Johns @ Black Swan Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington

*9-1> Kevin Reid & Derek Lathrop @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~$

*10:30> Adam Cooke & The Adams Family @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington

Copyright © 2016 Toronto Moon Magazine. All Rights Reserved